The Lake District is the perfect place for a serene, nature-filled weekend away, as it is jam-packed with activities and amazing scenery as one of Britain’s UNESCO world heritage sites. Whether you are looking for a romantic weekend break, a group hiking trip, or even a solo holiday – there are lots of brilliant things to do with your time listed below
1. Rent a Kayak in Ambleside
You will see signs all over The Lake District advertising renting boats, kayaks and paddle boards, which is a brilliant outdoor activity for anyone that loves water sports. But this spot in Ambleside has a few beautiful scenic pubs overlooking the water, as well as being next door to the YHA. Kayaking is one of the easier water sports, and can be done as a pair, so if you are a little unsure on the water then this should make you feel more confident.
2. Have a pint at the iconic The Crafty Baa
This beautiful and character-filled local business is a great place to have a craft ale in a warm, cosy environment. They have a location in both Windermere and Keswick, so it’s definitely worth tracking down and enjoying the whimsical decor and lovely service.
3. Book an afternoon in The Low Wood Bay Spa
This spa experience is a great way to wind down and relax while taking in spectacular views in the outdoor pool. They have an assortment of jacuzzi’s, saunas and luxury treatments to choose from, all with a view to Lake Windermere.
For £95 pp you can get a 3-hour thermal spa experience and afternoon tea in their beautiful restaurant. This would be a perfect way to celebrate a special birthday or anniversary with your loved ones.
4. Climb Scafell Pike!
A challenging hike up the highest mountain in England, that takes 3-4 hours each way. At the top you can see fantastic views across The Lake District National Park, which is truly the best of Britain. This activity may be for those seeking a physical challenge, however there are easier and less gruelling hikes all over the lakes, so don’t feel defeated!
5. Go for lunch at Chesters by the River
This is a beautiful, rural spot near Ambleside, famed for its serene surroundings and homemade natural food. They are a meat free location, but don’t let that put you off! They have hummus, flatbreads, curries, salads and a wide range of homemade cakes canteen style, which you can pick up when ready and find a place to sit outside and enjoy the nature.
6. Castlerigg Stone Circle
A quick stop while driving through the countryside, the Castlerigg stone circle is a popular tourist stop along the road, which is a very well preserved UNESCO world heritage site. It’s a great photo spot if you arrive at the right time, as lots of tourist coaches will stop here and come out in droves to visit the site, the end of the day is usually the quietest time!
7. The famous gingerbread of Grasmere
If you’ve watched any Lake District tik tok’s this year, you will have seen the popular tourist attraction – the gingerbread shop of Grasmere! Grasmere is a tiny little village near Ambleside and Rydal that has a few picturesque pubs and cosy shops, as well as some of the busiest weekend walking routes – but nothing beats the gingerbread, possibly the best in England!
8. Hilltop – National Trust
You will see references to Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit all over The Lake District! But a really fun activity for the whole family, is visiting the famous home she lived in, and left to The National Trust in her name. As well as visiting the little cottage, visit the beautiful gardens that inspired so much of her book illustration. The site is still dutifully tended and one of the best places to see how inspiring and cosy a country home in The Lake District can be. You will also see World of Beatrix Potter gift shops all over the lakes for anyone looking for some themed items to purchase.
9. Take an Open Bus Tour
You will see the double-decker open top buses driving all around The Lake District on your travels, and these are a great way to see the great outdoors while taking in a bit of history coming from the voiceover on the bus. For a very affordable price you can check out the beautiful scenery, and if you are travelling solo its a fabulous way of getting around the rural area!
10. Walk with the alpacas
A unique experience for the animal lovers is visiting the alpacas at Alpacy Ever After. The rescue sanctuary have many locations, and you can choose whether to simply visit or go for a walk with the alpacas, all while learning about their likes and dislikes and their back stories. The Lingholm Estate is the ideal location, as you can also walk around the beautiful grounds, the walled kitchen gardens and also have a cup of tea and slice of cake in the café.
11. Crazy golf in Ambleside
For a light-hearted, fun activity before going to the pub for an evening meal, why not have a little family challenge on the golf course? They have crazy golf or pitch & put on the village green, very close to all the cafe’s and restaurants of Ambleside. At £6 a person its well worth spending an hour on a Sunday morning.
12. Visit Muncaster Castle
Muncaster Castle & gardens is a stunning location ideal for a family visit, with several events running all year. They have a sausage festival, craft market, medieval events, race the ride obstacle courses and even Halloween events!
https://www.muncaster.co.uk/events
13. Ferry ride across Lake Windermere
Windermere is the most famed location of The South Lakes by far, and is a great option for any first timer’s visiting The Lake District. They have a wide selection of offers and times for Windermere lake cruises, with bars nearby so you won’t be waiting long. Going for a boat trip around Windermere Lake is a fun way to spend an hour, and get some brief history about the surrounding areas. A favourite activity to pursue while on the ferry ride, is observing the beautiful big estates on ‘Millionaire Row’!
14. Go for a pizza at The Glasshouse
This spot is perhaps the most instagrammable restaurant in Cumbria. The luxury, country-vibe aesthetic is unmatched, as well as being part of a luxury boutique hotel, Another Place. Their instagram is certainly worth a look, and they have a summer event this year taking place on The Glasshouse Lawn with an open-air cinema and a gorgeous champagne caravan that’s the perfect romantic location.
15. Holker Hall & Gardens
Discover the grand, English architecture of Holker Hall while having a lovely lunch in the 18th century converted stable. For anyone who loves seeking out English stately homes, this beautifully kept hall has a rich, ancestral history that makes for a fun afternoon. You can purchase a ticket for home & gardens, or gardens only, and dogs are also welcome. Check their website for prices and events if this location interests you!
Visit
16. Aira Force Waterfall Walk, Ullswater
This waterfall walk is by far the most popular waterfall spot in The Lake District for tourists, and is easily accessed from Ullswater. It stands at an incredible 65 feet tall, and to reach it you have to take a very picturesque walk through the woodlands. It’s a perfect activity for any time of year, and something you can do at your own pace.
17. Walk Through Lady Hope’s Garden
This is a brilliant, free activity that is a great way to spend a relaxing hour in the fresh air. The Lady Hope Garden is at the heart of Keswick town centre, and has a beautiful display of flowers, as well as fun games such as mini golf & remote control sail boats. Perfect for anyone stuck for what to do with young children in the school holidays.
18. The Derwentwater viewpoint
Just a short walk through the Lady Hope’s Garden as listed above, this National Trust site has the most gorgeous view of Derwentwater you could find anywhere. Spend the afternoon having a picnic, feeding the ducks and skimming rocks while watching people kayak along the water or parachute in the distance, it really is the most serene spot.
19. Cosy shopping afternoon in Bowness
Bowness-on-Windermere has beautiful shopping streets with some local, independent businesses and cafe’s perfect for tourists. On rainy days, cosy afternoons spent popping in and out of shops and enjoying some hot drinks is ideal for when outdoor activities are out of the question.
20. Have a pint at The Wateredge Inn
This cosy little pub has one of the best views of the water that you can enjoy with a pint in their beer garden. There are tons of brilliant pubs to spend the afternoon sunshine in, but The Wateredge Inn is certainly a tourist hot spot due to the access to Ambleside pier, the local YHA and kayak rentals.
21. The Eskdale Steam Train
Travel for seven miles on a scenic route on the world’s oldest narrow gauge steam engine. With several stops along the way, such as Ravenglass, Muncaster Mill (where you can visit Muncaster castle), The Green & Beckfoot. For £15 you can get a round trip and a real day out to remember.
22. Visit Wordsworth House, Dove Cottage
See William Wordsworth’s childhood home, now a National Trust site open for visitors. You can visit the house by car, but it also has several walking routes to the site, as well as cycling routes for those who want to make more of a day of it. At £9 an adult, it is one of the more reasonably priced locations in the lakes to visit, for those who love exploring the history and culture of the county.
23. Theatre by the Lake
In the heart of Keswick, the theatre is a well known spot for local plays, performances & festivals. This year, a production of Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen is the main event, as well Keswick Mountain Festival on the 17th-19th of May 2024! Check out their website to find more details about more events for 2024.
https://www.theatrebythelake.com/whats-on/
24. Check in to a B&B for the night
The locals of Cumbria have some of the best, cosy B&B’s in the country, as The Lake District is such a popular weekend destination. Air BnB is a popular choice, as well as a few of the larger hotels, but why not support a local business and stay in a smaller, cosier B&B in your favourite village?
25. Treetop Adventure
If you like treetop challenges, then this is one of the top things for you. Treetop Adventures have an ideal Windermere spot, a ten minute drive from the town centre, with a few courses at different levels of difficulty and a zipline to finish off! In any season, any weather, this activity is an ideal bit of fun to make a trip to remember.
26. Lowther Castle & Gardens
Located near the beautiful Penrith, Lowther castle is a 19th century castle façade. The castle was demolished in 1957, but the outer shell remains alongside the beautifully kept gardens. You an explore the ruins, see the rose gardens, or bring the whole family to play in the adventure garden. This place is perfect for anyone who enjoys historic homes, and an ideal day out on a summers day (and also allows dogs FYI).
27. Paddleboarding at Graythwaite, Windermere
Whether you are a rookie paddle-boarder, or a self proclaimed expert, at Graythwaite Adventure, you can hire a paddleboard, or take an instructed lesson. The lakes can be quite chilly in all seasons, so wearing a wet suit is highly recommended. The team are happy for you to hire the boards and take them to any location you like, so keep this in mind if you want to invent your own adventures!
28. Try an Apple Pie in Ambleside
A famed spot amongst tourists is The Apple Pie cafe in Ambleside. A homemade bakery in the heart of the village that has a unique exterior and close to all the local attractions, its the most ideal instagram photo spot. Grab an apple pie and other baked goods for a stroll around the village.
29. The Lakes Distillery
You can book a whisky tasting tour on the old Victorian farmstead for £50 pp. A 2 hour single malt whisky experience is a unique sensory journey for anyone who has a passion for taste, and you can also book a table in the bistro for you and a loved one to enjoy a longer experience at the distillery.
30. The Derwent Pencil Museum
Located in Keswick, this fascinating museum is home to the worlds first pencil! Follow the journey of pencil discovery to its modern ay production, including secret WW2 pencils and an 8 metre colour pencil. The Derwent brand also has an exclusive store here where you can buy luxury art materials and find intrigue in new creative hobbies.
31. Rydal Falls
Here you can walk up waterfalls and through woodlands to see some of the most beautiful natural spots in the entire Lake District. Nearby to Wordsworth House, Rydal has some fantastic walking routes, and this one is approximately three miles long.
32. Visit the last working mine in England
The Honister slate mine is the last working mine in England, which has been active since 1728. Located in the heart of The Lake District, you can visit the mine as an ideal family outing, or for those after more of a challenge, climb the mine!
33. Honister Pass Adrenaline Experience
The true bucket list experience. As well as climbing the mine, Honister offers more extreme adrenaline experiences, such as canyoning, extreme climbing and the infamous infinity bridge. An all day pass can be purchased as an ideal gift experience for a loved one, and make sure to check out the videoed experiences on their instagram!
34. The Lakeshore path in Buttemere
This is a scenic 4.5 mile walk that is a great day out and perfect for beginners and family fun. The route mirrors an old Victorian walking route completed by tourists for decades, and has some of the most beautiful scenery the district has to offer.
35. Faeryland at Grasmere
Faeryland is a quaint little local business that offers a romantic rowing boat experience amongst the scenery of Grasmere. They also have a beautiful tea garden on the water, offering a wide selection of magical teas and an overall magical vibe that will feel like you’ve stepped from the pages of a book. This may just be the most picturesque boat ride in The Lake District.
36. Movie & Evening Meal Deal at Zeffirellis
This central Ambleside cinema has two vegetarian restaurants, a jazz bar and a cinema all in one, making it the most romantic date night spot. You can get a meal deal throughout the year for a movie/meal combo for two, ideal for anyone with a tighter budget. The interior is classic old Italian style, with an internal waterfall and cosy booths – an absolute favourite amongst both locals and tourists.
